Cleared Of Tampering Charges

The Jets have been exonerated of all tampering charges filed by the Patriots over their dealings with wide receiver Deion Branch last September, league sources told Newsday today.

The Patriots had given Branch permission to seek a trade after they had reached an impasse in contract negotiations last summer, and the Jets immediately expressed an interest and worked out a contract agreement pending a trade with the Patriots. The Jets were willing to give up a second-round pick for Branch, a former Super Bowl MVP.

But New England wound up shipping Branch to the Seahawks in exchange for a first-round pick last Sept. 12. Meanwhile, the Patriots filed tampering charges with the league, arguing that any trade discussions were to be strictly between the Patriots and other teams.

The Patriots contended that because Branch's agents, Jason Chayut, Brian Mackler and Alan Herman, were privy to what the Jets were willing to offer in a potential trade, the Patriots' negotiating position had been compromised.

League officials informed both teams on Wednesday that they found no merit to the Patriots' claims.